Stayner Richards

Who was Stayner Richards?

Stayner Richards was a Mormon missionary in the United Kingdom and was a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1951 until his death.

Richards was born in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory. He was the brother of Stephen L Richards, who would become an apostle in the LDS Church, and the grandson of Willard Richards, who was also an apostle. From 1908 to 1910, Richards was a missionary for the LDS Church in the United Kingdom.

From 1916 to 1928, Richards was the bishop of the Highland Park Ward of the LDS Church in Salt Lake City. He was a stake president in the church from 1937 to 1949.

From 1949 to 1952, Richards was the president of the British Mission of the church. In October 1951, while he was acting as the mission president, he became an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. As a mission president he helped select the property for the planned London England Temple. Richards was an Assistant to the Twelve until his death from pancreatitis in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was buried at Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Richards was married to Jane Foote Taylor and was the father of six children. One of their children was the hymn composer G. William Richards.